Chapter Twenty-one; Dark Threat

Fields and forests were nothing but a hazy blur three hundred feet below as Harry flew with all the speed of the winds, straight as an arrow towards Hogwarts castle.

Gripping the Firebolt firmly, Harry lay flat to the handle, the wind whipping back his hair and robes. Though still feeling a little dizzy from the vision, Harry did not slow down, running over the images in his mind; the full moon … an army of Death Eaters … Dementors … the Dark Lord himself … all heading for Hogwarts.

There was no time for fear.

All he could think of was to warn them.

Pushing the Firebolt to its absolute limit, Harry rocketed down into the castle grounds.

*

Ron and Hermione were sick with nerves as they hurried after Professor McGonagall whose lips were the thinnest of thin lines. After half an hour of failing to get a straight answer from either of them, she had lost patience with them.

'Ron,' Hermione whispered desperately behind McGonagall's back as she led them down a staircase. 'We can't lie to Dumbledore – we can't.'

Ron was looking very pale under his freckles.

'Maybe if we just don't say anything – I mean – they can't force us to say – can they?'

Hermione just looked at him, making an odd high-pitched noise in her throat. Ron did not take that as a good sign.

'Look,' he hissed back as they crossed the top of the marble staircase leading down to the Entrance Hall. 'Maybe we won't have to say anything … for all we know Harry might be … flying towards us right now,'

Ron stared, wide eyed as the front doors were flung open and Harry came pelting into the Entrance Hall on his broomstick. Students milling in the Hall quickly ducked to avoid him as he shot over their heads and soared up the marble staircase towards Ron and Hermione.

Professor McGonagall stared as Harry swung off the broom at the top of the stairs and raced towards them without even slowing down.

'Potter! Where on earth-'

'Sorry Professor but I need to see the Headmaster,' Harry said in a rush, running straight past her and off in the direction of the staff room.

Ron and Hermione exchanged a look, then quickly followed, leaving Professor McGonagall behind.

Further up the corridor Harry paused just long enough to knock hurriedly on the staff room door before shoving it open and darting inside.

Inside, several of the professors there turned in surprise at the sudden intrusion. Harry ignored the puzzled looks, heading over to Dumbledore who rose from his chair looking gravely concerned.

'Professor,' Harry gasping between breaths, leant on his broom for support. 'Hogwarts – an attack – He – He's coming – got to do something!'

Judging by the baffled expressions on everyone's faces, no one appeared to have followed any of this.

'Harry, please try and calm down,' said Dumbledore. 'Catch your breath first.'

Harry nodded but any further attempts to explain were cut short as Ron and Hermione came hurtling into the room, only just managing to avoid ramming into Harry. Professor McGonagall arrived a few seconds later, out of breath with one hand holding her hat in place.

'Granger – Weasley!' she scowled. 'Professor Dumbledore, I'm dreadfully sorry but-'

'Minerva, please,' said Dumbledore raising a hand. McGonagall fell silent, looking perplexed.

Placing a hand on Harry's shoulder, Dumbledore guided him to the nearest chair. Gratefully, Harry sat down, still breathing hard. After a few minutes he was able to speak.

'Professor, the Dark Lord's going to launch an attack on Hogwarts tonight. He's got an army of Death Eaters and Dementors – we've got to do something.'

Most of the staff was genuinely shocked by his words. Professor Flitwick gave a startled squeak and fell off his chair and Professor Sprout dropped her cup of tea. Professor McGonagall appeared apprehensive, fixing Harry with her steely gaze.

'Potter, how could you possibly-'

'My scar,' he said, meeting Dumbledore's ice blue eyes. 'It started burning and I think I must have passed out, it hurt so much – then I had a – a vision.'

'What did you see, Harry?' asked Dumbledore calmly.

'Voldemort … well, his eyes anyway.' Harry couldn't suppress a shudder and several people flinched at the Dark Lord's name. Hermione gave a terrified gasp, clapping a hand over her mouth. 'I could see Hogwarts and the full moon in his eyes. Then I saw Azkaban … hundreds of Dementors and Death Eaters … and the Dark Mark.'

'Anything else?' Dumbledore asked, looking intently into Harry's eyes. 'Anything at all?'

Harry racked his brain, struggling to remember.

'Just a really huge snake,' he said slowly. 'It lunged at me from the Dark Mark, then I woke up.'

'Where were you when your scar started hurting?'

'With Si-Snuffles … in Hogsmeade.'

'Where is he now?'

'He went to find Remus. He told me to get back here fast and warn you. He said there wouldn't be time to evacuate the students, that we'd have to brace ourselves for the attack.'

Dumbledore nodded. 'He's probably right,' he muttered distractedly. 'But there's no reason not to try.'

Dumbledore straightened up, pointing his wand at his throat, muttering a spell, then spoke loudly to the room, his voice echoing as it travelled magically magnified throughout the castle; to every room, down every corridor and staircase and across the grounds.

'Attention all students and staff members,' he called. 'We have an emergency. All students are to return to their house dormitories immediately. All staff to report to the staff room. Quickly as you can, please.'

His voice returned to normal as he turned to address the staff.

'Heads of Houses will you please ensure that all the students are accounted for? And please seal the dormitory entrances.'

'But,' Harry stood up, 'Professor, can't we help?' He looked to Ron and Hermione for support. 'There are hundreds of us. No offence but I don't think you'd last very long against a whole army. Surely you could use our help?'

'Mr Potter!' McGonagall looked shocked.

'But Professor,' Hermione spoke up nervously. 'There are so many of us-'

'And none that should be put at such risk.' McGonagall snapped. 'Albus?'

Dumbledore gazed impassively down at Harry, Ron and Hermione's hopeful faces. He sighed.

'Our priority is to protect the students,' he said flatly.

As one, their faces fell in disbelief.

'Harry, you've already done what you can. Please return to your dormitory.'

'But we can help!' Ron insisted as McGonagall made to take them out of the room. 'You can't possibly manage on your own!'

'We will be alerting the Ministry,' Dumbledore assured him. 'You needn't worry. Tia, will you kindly contact the Ministry and arrange for a Floo portal to be opened? If we can, we'll Floo all the students to London.'

Harry spun round, a cold chill running up his spine. Professor Torr had been standing behind them. How long had she been there? Harry hadn't noticed her when he'd come in. Before he could say a word, however, Professor McGonagall had swept him, Ron, and Hermione out the door and up the nearest staircase.

Since further objections weren't going to help in the slightest, Harry allowed himself to be led back to Gryffindor Tower. Students found dithering in the corridors were quickly motivated as McGonagall came marching through, calling for any straying Gryffindors and sending other House students on their way to their own dorms. By the time they had reached the seventh floor corridor, they had picked up a few lost first years, a group of fourth years and a pair of third year girls.

The Fat Lady watched them anxiously from her portrait while Violet, her friend from downstairs, whispered hurriedly in her ear.

'Password?'

'Swivenhodge.' said Professor McGonagall and the portrait swung open to admit them.

The whole of Gryffindor House had assembled in the common room, trying to find out if anyone knew what was going on. They fell silent as Professor McGonagall entered. Harry, Ron, and Hermione slipped into the crowd, hiding away at the very back. Professor McGonagall started to explain the situation and give instructions but Harry hardly paid her any attention.

'I can't believe this,' he grumbled quietly to Ron and Hermione. 'You'd think they'd at least consider letting us help, we're not useless.'

'They just don't want us getting hurt.' said Hermione. 'Besides, what could we do against an army?'

'What can they do? They're powerful yeah, but severely lacking in numbers. A few dozen at most,' said Ron, shaking his head. 'They won't last long.'

'But Dumbledore did say we'd escape to London once they open a Floo portal.'

'He asked Allison to do it,' said Harry. 'She's-' He looked around just to make sure that no one was close enough to hear. 'She's a Death Eater. What makes you think she'll let us escape?'

'But there's not a lot we can do.'

'And we can't just sit here,' he said angrily. 'As soon as McGonagall leaves, I'm going back out.'

'Harry, you heard what Dumbledore said,' whispered Hermione. 'The entrances will be sealed shut once everyone's inside. We won't be able to leave once she goes.'

'Can't we sneak out behind her?' said Ron.

With a sly grin Harry put his hand in his pocket, pulling out the Invisibility Cloak.

'There's no way all three of us can get out through portrait hole under that.' Hermione whispered. 'I'd better use a Chameleon Charm.'

'Sure you want to come?' asked Ron.

'There's no way you two are going to leave me here.' She sounded rather offended.  'If you're going, I'm going.'

Making sure that no one was watching them; Harry and Ron slipped the Cloak over their heads. Hermione muttered a spell under her breath and flicked her wand. At once her outline blurred, her form shimmering then fading out of sight.

Carefully as possible, Harry and Ron made their way round the edge of the room, squeezing through the crowd; only just managing not to touch anyone.

'Once a Floo portal has been opened someone will come back to fetch you. First years will be escorted first, followed by the second years and so on,' Professor McGonagall was saying. 'We will make every effort to contact your families once everyone is safe. Until then, please wait quietly.'

The Gryffindors nodded and Professor McGonagall turned to leave.

Harry and Ron quickly checked that the Cloak was covering them completely, then sneaked up behind her. The portrait swung open and Professor McGonagall clambered out. Just as the portrait started to close Ron aimed his wand. The painting jammed.

Fast as they could, all three scrambled through, probably making more noise than was safe but it went unnoticed as the Gryffindors began to talk amongst themselves once more. The moment they were safely out of the way Ron reversed the spell and the Fat Lady's portrait closed over the entrance.

Professor McGonagall turned to the Fat Lady.

'My Lady, if you would lock the entrance please?'

The Fat Lady nodded and vanished from the frame, entering another painting further down the corridor.

'Once the portals are open-'

'Don't worry, Minerva,' insisted the Fat Lady. 'I'll be down on the second floor by Professor Vector's office when you need me.' And she hurried off down the corridor through the paintings there.

Professor McGonagall made her way down the nearest staircase and out of sight.

'Hermione,' Ron hissed. 'You still with us?'

'Yes,' came a disembodied voice beside them. 'Come on, follow her.'

The sound of hurried footsteps pattered off down the staircase after the professor.

Professor McGonagall headed straight back to the staff room. The rest of the faculty had arrived, Dumbledore having just finished explaining to them the situation. Harry, Ron, and Hermione dived in behind McGonagall, slipped past her and, keeping to the walls, edged round to the large stone fireplace behind Dumbledore. All the professors looked grim and nervous.

'Ah, Minerva,' Dumbledore turned to McGonagall. 'All the Gryffindors present and correct?'

'Yes, Albus. I've had the Fat Lady move to the second floor. She'll be by Sophie's office until we need her.'

'Good, that's all the dormitories sealed.'

'Albus,' McGonagall asked anxiously. 'What will we do if the Dark Lord arrives…'

'Well, hopefully we'll have all the students out before that happens-'

BANG!

Everyone jumped as Professor Torr came flying into the room in a panic.

'Albus!' she cried somewhat hysterically. 'I can't get through to the Ministry! Something's blocking it! I've tried several different fireplaces - not one of them will connect with the Ministry!'

The panic quickly spread to the rest of the staff.

'Now what do we do?' asked Professor Sprout turning to Dumbledore.

'The students must be evacuated!' Flitwick cried.

'The Dark Lord could arrive any minute!'

'We can't hold out against an army, there just aren't enough of us.'

'What are we going to do?'

'Silence!'

Instantly, the staff fell silent. Dumbledore cleared his throat.

'As I've already said, there is no need to panic. It will not do us any good,' he said firmly. 'The students will be relativity safe for the time being.'

'But Albus,' piped up Professor Vector. 'We don't know how much time we have.'

'Which is why we need to work fast,' nodded Dumbledore. 'Even though the castle is very well protected I do have some doubt that it will be enough to hold back an army. We need to reinforce it and quickly.'

'Oh, oh!' Professor Torr raised her hand, waving it excitedly, not unlike when Hermione when she knew the answer to a difficult question. 'Professor, I think I know of a spell we could use to fortify the bulwarks of the castle.'

'I'm open to suggestions, Tia,' said Dumbledore. 'How does it work?'

Professor Torr smiled. 'Well, it involves combining the magical energy of several competent witches and wizards to project a powerful shield over a large area.

'Each of the participants has to contribute as much of their inner strength as possible. It involves a great deal of concentration and even though it is rather tiring, the result is an almost impenetrable shield.' Professor Torr beamed. 'Quite formidable. I doubt that anything could break it down.'

'How many people would this require?' asked Professor Sinistra eagerly.

'The more, the better. But it does require someone to act as a medium, to channel the magic as a single unity, otherwise the magic will be without direction, spreading out all over the place and the barrier would be no where near as strong as could be.

'I've done this sort of spell many times, so I think I'd better act as the medium.' She looked almost uncertainly at Dumbledore. 'That is, if you agree with our trying this, sir?'

The rest of the staff seemed very much in favour of her suggestion, eagerly voicing their approval.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione (still hiding by the fireplace, quiet as mice) were more than a little apprehensive however. Harry was getting very anxious. His scar was still hurting and the staff had no idea that there was a Death Eater among them, offering a solution that seemed too good to be true. He couldn't just reveal himself to expose her true identity. Who would believe him? More likely he'd end up in big trouble for sneaking out of the dormitory where he was supposed to be.

As the staff filed out, Harry spotted Professor Snape lurking in the shadows at the other end of the room. There was a cold calculating look in his eyes. He didn't seem any more thrilled with Professor Torr's suggestion than Harry was. His dark eyes followed Professor Torr as she left, explaining the spell in more detail to Professor Flitwick.

Once everyone else had left, Snape approached the fireplace. He drew his wand and shot a fine cloud of dust into the flames. They turned emerald green but a smoky black haze flared within it. The colour faded, the fire returning to normal. Snape stood there for a moment longer; then stalked off after the others, closing the door behind him.

Hardly waiting for the footsteps to fade away, Harry pulled the Cloak off his head. Ron's appeared a moment later.

'What did Snape just do?' asked Harry peering at the fireplace.

'Tried to open a Floo portal,' said Ron. 'Professor Torr was right. There is something blocking it.'

'Didn't want to take her word for it or did he just not believe her? Because I'm ready to bet that she blocked it herself.'

'Yeah, probably.' Ron muttered darkly.

Hermione shimmered into existence beside them. 'I wonder if Snape knew?'

'Knew what?'

'About the attack. If Snape did go undercover as a Death Eater wouldn't he have known about it?'

'What makes you think he doesn't?'

'He would have told Dumbledore.'

'Look, we haven't got time for this,' said Harry. 'Our only defence has just left in the company of a Death Eater. Should we not be following them?'

Quickly they put the Invisibility Cloak back on; Hermione used her Chameleon Charm again and they hurried after the professors.

The staff had just passed out the oak front doors as Harry, Ron, and Hermione reached the staircase.

'What'll we do?' Hermione said. 'We can't just ask them not to do the spell.'

'No. But if Allison makes even one wrong move, hex her.' said Harry coldly, gripping his wand tightly.

Reaching the front doors Ron slowly pulled them open. They slipped outside and eased the door shut behind them. It was getting late. The sky was mostly dark blue with a smear of yellow and red where the sun was sinking over the forest. A chill wind had sprung up. They huddled together on the front steps, wands at the ready.

Out on the lawn, the staff had positioned themselves in a large circle, Professor Torr at the centre, giving instructions. Harry strained to hear but she was just too far away to make out the words clearly.

She began to chant. Her voice carried on the wind, soft and hypnotic. The staff soon took up the chant, their voices merging, becoming louder, stronger. As the steady rhythm continued Harry became aware of a vague feeling of being watched. He looked to the darkened forest then up at the darkening sky. The shadows there appeared to flow into one another, devouring the remaining light, chasing it away. A cold shiver ran up his spine.

A flickering light caught his eye, drawing his attention back to the professors. A hazy ring of light had materialised, running through the circle from one professor to the next.

The chant changed slightly. Professor Torr's voice echoing slightly as she raised her hands, reaching out towards her colleagues. At once, glowing beams of light started to appear, swimming through the air in a dazzling rainbow of colour, all flowing from each of the professors to Torr. She swayed gently back and forth as the power surged around her. Raising her hands high over her head, the light rose with them in a skyward spiral, shining through the dark.

Harry, Ron, and Hermione watched in wonderment as the light began to glow even brighter. The colours swirled, constantly changing; white, green, yellow, purple, green, red, orange, green, gold, brown, silver then green again. The stunning shade of green illuminated the grounds, forest and castle, fading then darkening again and again. Harry suddenly noticed a dull throb. And it was coming from his scar, the pain steadily increasing.

'It's like a beacon,' whispered Hermione, still watching the light.

'That's exactly what it is!' Harry cried.

The sky, already dark with the approach of night, was overshadowed as a dark mass soared overhead like a storm cloud. A huge shadow fell across the grounds. The chanting faltered as heads turned to look. Only Professor Torr's voice remained constant. Eyes closed, she stood as still as a statue, her head tilted back and palms up to the sky, chanting louder than ever.

Then with a sudden primal scream, the light turned black. The staff swiftly backed away, thoroughly bewildered.

The dark light fell from the sky, surging into Professor Torr's body. She spun round, facing Dumbledore. She screamed a curse and from her hands came a powerful surge that shook the very foundations of the castle, slicing through the air and engulfing Dumbledore in an instant.

The unconscious form of their Headmaster fell to the ground.

Harry stared in horror. Hermione let out a strangled scream and Ron swore in alarm.

The remaining professors were frozen with shock. Not one of them moved.

A triumphant chorus of shouts and yells rang through the dark. A flock of winged horses, all of them ebony black, swooped down from the sky. Upon each of their backs rode a black-clad figure. Hoods low over their faces and their cloaks billowing out behind them, the Death Eaters drew their wands.

This seemed to break through the professors' initial shock. Snape whipped out his wand.

'Stupefy!'

One Death Eater cried out as his horse suddenly went limp beneath him, plummeting to the ground.

Professors Sinistra and Vector shouted 'Expelliarmus!' causing two more horses to buck their riders off. But it was hopeless. There were far too many of them.

'Run!' McGonagall shouted as she cast a Freezing Charm on Death Eater before it could hurl a hex at her.

They didn't need telling twice. The staff turned and bolted. Another twenty or so Death Eaters jeered, deliberately flying low over their heads. A few landed, running the horses past them and circling round, firing hexes at the staff causing them to falter.

Professor Sprout rushed at them and cried, 'Terra aperio!' and the ground beneath the Death Eaters shook, cracking open. One horse reared in a panic - with a startled yell its rider fell headfirst into the pit. His cry was cut short as the earth closed over him.

Snape flung another hex at a Death Eater, turning him into a living torch as his robes went up in flames. Flitwick sent three more reeling with a cloud of vile smelling poison that shot into their faces. McGonagall spun round, transfiguring one into a mouse and another into a newt.

But they just kept coming.

Harry was more than ready to run down there to try and help them but the pain in his head was mounting. He staggered, falling against Ron who quickly grabbed him.

'Harry?'

'My - my scar…' Harry said, gritting his teeth against the pain.

Hermione let out a terrified scream as something huge - something monstrous - came hurtling down out of the sky.

The lightning scar exploded with pain and Harry fell to his knees. Struggling to see clearly, Harry could only just make out the immense silhouette of a - dragon? No, wait - not a dragon. It was too slender for a dragon and its head was more like that of a snake. A giant snake. But the wings were certainly recognisable as a dragon's.

But what really held Harry's attention was the tall, skeletal man that rode the monstrous reptile. His livid scarlet eyes shining like freshly spilt blood against the bone-white of his face.

Ron and Hermione were frozen with fear. Neither of them moved a muscle. The fear seemed to have paralysed the staff at that moment as well. They could do little more than stare, frozen with terror as the Dark Lord guided his mount down. The winged reptile had no legs like a dragon. Instead it slithered out of the air and onto the ground, gliding with liquid grace through the grass. The wings receded into the serpent's body, absorbing them like water.

The Death Eaters encircled the professors; some on the ground while others circled like vultures overhead.

Voldemort's lipless mouth twisted into a cruel smile. His snake-like eyes taking in the cowering professors' fearful expressions with great satisfaction.

'Well,' he hissed coolly. 'Is this the best that you can do?' He laughed. 'It's rather disappointing to be honest. Surely Hogwarts' finest would have put up more of a fight than that?'

The snake's head lowered, its forked tongue tasting the air, tasting their fear.

'As for your 'leader',' he sneered, looking over his shoulder to where the still form of Albus Dumbledore lay. 'I do hope he isn't dead. It would be such a shame to deny him a painful death. Avery.'

Immediately, one Death Eater pulled his horse out of the circle, quickly galloping over to the Headmaster. Swinging off the horse, Avery knelt beside him, looking for any sign of life. A few moments later he straightened up.

'My Lord,' he called. 'He is still alive.'

It was difficult to tell whether Voldemort was actually pleased about this.

'Bring him.'

Avery bowed then levitated Dumbledore's limp form onto the horse's back.

Voldemort turned back to face his prisoners. His cold eyes fixed on Snape.

'Severus,' he muttered. 'I cannot express the depths of my disappointment. What possessed you ally yourself with such fools … you do know the price of such treachery, I'm sure.'

Snape glared defiantly up the Dark Lord.

'Quite a surprise,' Voldemort said thoughtfully. 'If I didn't know better, I would have said that you'd taken leave of your senses.'

'I could say the same of you,' said Snape, causing some of the Death Eaters to utter audible gasps. No one ever answered back to their master. No one who lived anyway. 'Attacking a school with full force after months of inactivity? Not at all your usual method.'

Voldemort smiled, almost amused.

'Ah, yes, a little unorthodox perhaps, yet look how easy it was.' He waved a spider-like hand carelessly. 'Why be predictable when the unexpected gets far more successful results?'

'Would the Ministry not have been a more suitable target?' Snape asked. If he was scared he was doing a good job of hiding it.

'Not particularly,' said Voldemort lazily. 'Less potential.' That lipless smile was back. 'So many … so much power yet to be harnessed … and so young … young enough to be easily integrated into the ranks of the Dark Order, to learn under the correct guidance. Just imagine … several hundred young witches and wizards all willing to serve a single master … no matter if the task would cost them their lives or those of family or even friends.' He laughed sadistically.

Professor McGonagall's rage must have out weighed her fear because she suddenly broke her silence.

'You really think that you can just waltz in here and expect over five hundred students to simply turn themselves over to you?' she shrieked, eyes blazing.

Voldemort regarded her coldly. Slowly, he stepped down from the serpent's back. The professors drew back slightly but McGonagall held her ground. The Dark Lord stepped right up to her. She didn't move.

'No,' he whispered, still smiling. 'I don't expect it from all of them. But given that their only other choice will be to die … slowly … painfully … I doubt that it will take them long to decide where their loyalties lie.'

He slowly drew back and turned to the Death Eaters.

'Secure the castle.' he ordered. 'Any student you find, bring to me. If they resist, kill them.' He paused for a moment to enjoy the look of horror on the professors' faces. 'Take these prisoners down to the dungeons, I will deal with them later.'

At once a swarm of Death Eaters advanced on the castle and in their wake; Dementors.

Ron and Hermione pulled Harry to his feet.

'Come on! Hurry!'

Ron yanked the door open, dashing inside, pulling Harry with him. Hermione slammed the doors shut and attempted a complex locking spell just as the first Death Eater tried to push it open.

'Hermione, hurry up!' Ron cried as he raced up the stairs, practically dragging Harry along.

Hermione waved her wand sending sticky webbing over the doors, gluing them firmly in place. She spun on her heel and scrambled up the stairs after the boys.

'That won't last long! Quick!'

'Where do we go? They'll have this place surrounded!'

'Back to the Tower! Run!'

No sooner had they reached the second floor that the front doors were blasted open. The Death Eaters drew back as their Master stepped over the threshold.

He looked around with a satisfied smile.

'Now, then,' he whispered. 'Let us begin.'

*

To be continued

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Please review

All comments and constructive criticism are appreciated

*

Authors Notes

*stares wide-eyed at review page*  Oh WOW!  That's the most number of reviews I've ever had in one go!!  That's amazing!  *sits with a very happy grin on her face for hours on end*  My hectic week doesn't seem quite so bad now!  Thanks to every one of you lovely people!  ^_^

Lil Lupin – Ah yes, 'The Emperor', our favourite character … not!  How's chapter 13 looking?  I did attach it to the e-mail, didn't I?

Elbereth94 – Visions have good timing like that.  ^_^  *gasps in horror*  Nnoooo!  Don't read the original! Please!  Now that I've looked back on it, I think it looks a complete and total mess!  The ending doesn't quite make sense – hence the re-post.  Repeat after me; 'I will resist the temptation … I will resist the temptation … I will resist the temptation.'  ^_^

Bmw – Thank you so much!  I see you read The Greatest Gift and Rise, thanks for reviewing them too!   You liked my attempts at poetry in Gift did you?  For a first attempt I guess it wasn't too bad.  Ah, Sirius and Remus are tied in first place as my favourite characters.  Sirius is the main character in my next fic, which is currently nameless and seven chapters short of completion, so for obvious reasons it won't be posted for a while yet.  But if you're interested I could send an e-mail to you when it starts going up?  Hope to see you around!

Werepup – Thank you! ^_^  I like that comment; 'wicked ass story', very cool!

Orenji Yosei – Ooh, another Tarot reader!  Hi there! *waves and joins in the Leprechaun dance*  The Dragon Tarot deck is gorgeous, isn't it?  I loved it so much on sight; I just had to buy one!  (Unfortunately I had to order one and it took months to arrive!  Ggrrhh)

Melissa Lupin – Thanks for reading!  Hope you liked the chapter!

Summer thyme – Okay, slight case of confusion here I think.  I never said that Parvati was the one with strawberry-blond hair; the girl on the front cover of Parvati's magazine is the one with the blond hair.  Glad you like the fic so far.  And thanks for letting me know, although I was already aware ^_^ ; Parvati means 'lotus' doesn't it?  Or maybe that's Padma – I read it somewhere but can't remember it exactly.

Jajaj – *blinks a few times*  Ooookay.  It looks like sort of like English  (It's English Jim, but not as we know it.  ^_^  ) … Thank you for reading.

Storyweaver – Hey, if you're interested I have actually written a sequel to this already.  Tell No Lies is a re-post but after I finished the original I went ahead and wrote another one; 'Take It Back'.  You may like to wait until this one is done though, the early chapters of Take It Back might spoil the ending of this one. 

I am giving some serious thought to giving Harry a love interest but I'm afraid it probably won't be Ginny or Cho.  I am planning on writing a third fic in this 'series' but it'll be a while before it gets beyond the planning stage, I'm a bit busy writing a Sirius fic at the moment.

Evol norgara – Clever cloak isn't it?  ^_^  Wish I had a cloak.  Wait a second, I do own a cloak!  Okay, it doesn't make me invisible but it's very cool.  It's black with a deep hood so I end up looking like a Death Eater, ^_^  Hhm, think I should wear it when the next book comes out?  Hey, Order of the Phoenix is only three months away!  *cheers delightedly*  Can't wait!

Christy – I love the Divination lessons.  I think when I write my next fic in this series, covering Harry's sixth year, I'll include more of them.  I won't be able to use Tarot cards this time, so maybe premonitions and visions?  Still plotting the fic out, so no definite plans yet.  ^_^   Yeah, Sirius trusts Harry's scar visions, especially since it's a great alarm bell for Voldemort's activities.

Cliffhangers are only evil if you stop the story.  Cliffhangers are only evil if you stop the story.  You keep telling yourself that!

Von – Sorry, had to cut off the confrontation there … Voldemort; so inconsiderate isn't he?  ^_^ 

Evil spapple pie – How did Harry know?  Well, first off, burning scar – not good!  Tends to mean Voldemort's up to no good.  ^_^  Plus, Harry could see that the Dark Lord had Hogwarts 'in his sights' almost literally, plus the army marching out of Azkaban … was it not clear enough? ^_~

Okeanos – Getting exciting huh?  Thanks.  Enjoy the chapter!

Corrie – I can't go any faster than two chapters a week, I'm afraid.  ^_^  Glad you love it!

Anonymous – Thanks for reading!

MorganD – Hi again!  Not much changed on the reading, just one or two cards and re-wording was all the chapter needed to be honest.  I've only ever used cards that have 'reversed' meanings; might be interesting to have a deck that has one particular meaning regardless of which way it comes up.

I did wonder which would sound better, 'Mr Potter' or 'Harry', but I picked just Harry because I thought it might have sounded a bit odd having McGonagall refer to him that way to Ron and Hermione.  But I guess it would have sounded a bit odd whichever way I went, and I just flipped a coin!  ^_^

Harry's vision is unfortunately slightly different to canon.  I didn't really want to stray from canon on any aspect of the characters but I needed a bit of leeway on this one.  I couldn't figure out how I could have had the fic flowing smoothly if I kept it to Harry just seeing what was happening at that precise moment.  Plus it seemed a bit more dramatic, but that was just an added benefit of trying something a little different. 

Now that I've given it some thought however, I may be able to expand on Harry's visions in my next fic for this series.  The third fic hasn't got any further than several pages of scribbled notes and ideas but premonitions and visions are more than likely going to be the focus of the Divination lessons, so I might try to find more of an explanation for Harry's visions, canon and non-canon related.